The epidemiology of Varicella Zoster Virus infection in Italy.
BACKGROUND
The epidemiological importance of varicella and zoster and the availability of an efficacious and safe vaccine have led to an important international debate regarding the suitability of mass vaccination. The objective of the study was to describe the epidemiology of varicella and zoster in Italy and to determine whether there have been changes with respect to observations provided by an analogous study conducted 8 years ago, in order to define the most appropriate vaccination strategy.


METHODS
A number of data sources were evaluated, a cross-sectional population-based seroprevalence study was conducted on samples collected in 2004, and the results were compared with data obtained in 1996.


RESULTS
The data from active and passive surveillance systems confirm that varicella is a widespread infectious disease which mainly affects children. VZV seroprevalence did not substantially differ from that found in the previous study. The sero-epidemiological profile in Italy is different from that in other European countries. In particular, the percentage of susceptible adolescents is at least nearly twice as high as in other European countries and in the age group 20-39 yrs, approximately 9% of individuals are susceptible to VZV.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study can contribute to evaluating the options for varicella vaccination. It is possible that in a few years, in all Italian Regions, there will exist the conditions necessary for implementing a mass vaccination campaign and that the large-scale availability of MMRV tetravalent vaccines will facilitate mass vaccination.
Gabutti
Giovanni
G
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Hygiene and Occupational Health, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. giovanni.gabutti@unife.it
Rota
Maria C
MC
Guido
Marcello
M
De Donno
Antonella
A
Bella
Antonino
A
Ciofi degli Atti
Marta L
ML
Crovari
Pietro
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult